Oxybenzone is a UV filter commonly used in tanning and skin protection agents. It is a derivative of benzophenone and is used as an endocrine disrupting chemical that penetrates the placental and blood-brain barriers. It impairs autophagy, alters epigenetic status and disrupts vitamin X-like receptor signaling in apoptotic neuronal cells.

Cells are grown at 37℃ with 100% humidity and 10% CO2. Prior to analyses, cells are subcultured onto 24-well plates and allowed to become 70-90% confluent. On day 1 of the experiment, cells are washed three times with serum-free media containing 0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA), followed by replacement with the same media that also contained 1 ng/ml of IL-1β with or without oxybenzone. After an exposure time of 24 h, the media are removed, the pH adjusted to 3.5 with HCl, and finally assayed for PGE2-production. (Only for Reference)